The Art Thief (by Michael Finkel)
The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel is a fascinating book that weaves together two intriguing topics for me: true crime and art.
Unfortunately, thefts have been a persistent issue in all parts of the world for centuries. Among the many art thieves, one stands out as exceptionally successful in his art heists. Stéphane Breitwieser, along with his girlfriend, embarked on a remarkable eight-year journey, stealing over 300 pieces of art. In their early twenties, Breitwieser’s girlfriend served as the lookout, while he executed his daring and audacious thefts of significant artworks and historical artifacts. Throughout his criminal career, it is estimated that Breitwieser amassed a staggering fortune of one billion dollars worth of stolen art.
Finkel masterfully weaves a captivating narrative that delves into the art heists of Breitwieser, his relationship with his girlfriend, the enabling behavior of his mother, and the psychological underpinnings of his criminal mind. Breitwieser presents himself as an art enthusiast who stole for his personal collection, displaying the stolen art in his home where he could cherish each piece. He believes he took better care of the art than the museums did, which may have sparked his obsession. However, beneath his facade of love and care lies a selfish, entitled, and antisocial individual.
I thoroughly enjoyed how Finkel narrated the story as the intensity of the art heists escalated. As expected, Breitwieser’s sophistication eventually falters, leading to his downfall. (This isn’t a spoiler; there wouldn’t be a book about him if he hadn’t been caught.) The investigation and trial are equally captivating. I was both surprised and not surprised by the outcome.
I bought the audiobook of The Art Thief using my Audible subscription. Eduardo Ballerini’s narration is exceptional, as his voice exudes a professional tone that perfectly complements this true crime story.
My talented artist husband created the partially pictured painting titled ‘Forgotten Lore.’ You can visit his website, patrickriley.art, to see the painting in its entirety. While he may not be willing to sell it, you can also browse his other works on the website.
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